Hiroshima marks 56th tragic anniversary
The Kathmandu Post
(Aug 7, 2001)

By Gunaraj Luitel

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug 6 Thousands of Japanese people released dozens of
doves in the sky from the Peace Memorial Park here early today to
commemorate the tragic 56th anniversary of the American bombing.
This beautiful city inhabited by millions of people was reduced to a cinder
within a few seconds after the US military force dropped The Little Boy, an
atom bomb, for the first time in the history of human civilisation at 8.15
a. m. on August 6.
During historical function held here today, people from all over the globe
also prayed for world peace, hoping that such a man made tragedy may not
repeat in any part of the world in future.
The Little Boy was dropped by B-52 bomber which flew in here from the port
of Pearl Harbour when children were preparing for their schools as usual.
People could hardly hold their tears while going through the belongings of
the little innocent kids - bags and tiffin-boxes -perished in the bombing
that turned the entire city into a mass grave.
The remains of the man made disaster have been preserved at the Peace
Memorial Park as it is so that the future generation can fully understand
the devastating consequences of the nuclear bombs.
Ayoja Taniguchi was the first year student at Hiroshima Prefecture Junior
school when the bomb was showered from the high above the blue sky. Though
his father rescued from the rubble of his house, he succumbed to the
catastrophe on the same day. The visiting Japanese children keenly observed
Taniguchifs school identity card and his uniform preserved in a corner of
the memorial park.
The body of Koheru Hirakawa, a teacher at a local school, who was 50 when
the bomb was dropped over her head, could never be recovered. But her
spectacles and hand bag have been kept at the memorial site. Still, the
witnesses of the human catastrophe are leading miserable lives.
"We have been studying the history how this city revived and how flowers and
plants started budding half a century after the nuclear disaster," said
Yasunari Hatakeyama, a six grade student at Yano Nisi Elimentray School in
Hiroshima city, who was one of the thousand of students participating in the
56th anniversary of the US nuclear test against humanity.
"We have to establish a little paradise that is tied with mutual friendship
and trust," said Yuka Fujimori, a student at Dambara Elementary school of
the same city.
A peace message sent by the UN Secretary General, Koffi Annan, was read out
amidst the grand function, attended by popular Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koijumi, his cabinet members and dignitaries from the world over.
"Letfs commit ourselves not to repeat such a tragedy in the world,"
Secretary General Annan appealed in his candid message.
The second strongest economy of the world has not only revived the old glory
of the devastated city out of the nuclear rubble within a short span of 50
years but has also plead for perpetual peace in the globe.
"Precious lives of countless human beings were perished here in the
catastrophe. Taking lesson of the nuclear disaster, Japan has always been
advocating for peace," Prime Minster Koijumi said, adding, "Japan has
embraced the three principles toward eliminating nuclear arms. Japan has
also been raising voices for the full implementation of the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) ratified in 1972.
The three principles accepted by Japan in 1968 include non-proliferation of
the nuclear arms, non-possession of such arms and prohibition of their entry
into the country.
It is estimated that more than 200,000 people were killed and more than
75,000 houses were reduced to ashes due to the bombardment. The number of
the Hibakusha (survivors) are estimated to be higher than those perished in
the incident. The survivors are now 70 years on average.
Yushi Phunahasi, a Professor at the Hiroshima University, who is one of the
survivors of the nuclear disaster, said that Hibakusha families were
reluctant to make public their past lives for fear of social discrimination.
"An atom bomb does not distinguish who is what. The bomb dropped on the city
at that time was targeted on civilian areas," Phunahasi said addressing the
World Mayor conference.
Hiroshima city, the first victim of the nuclear test, is trying its best to
preserve all the remains in an open museum with a view to spreading the
message of peace throughout the world. Experts said that temperature of the
ground zero soared up to 3,000 to 4,000 degrees celsius in which the living
creatures and buildings of the city were reduced to a cinder. According to
eyewitness account, several people had plunged into rivers after they could
not put up with such pain.
Those who survived the catastrophe were found suffered from the diseases
such as hearing impaired, chest cancer and anaemia. The second generation
Japanese people also are reluctant to share their agony suspecting that they
might be the victims of any incurable disease genetically infested by the
Hibakusha. "Though I am alive, I suffered from Hepatitis in 1971 because of
the nuclear radiation. I am receiving treatment for multiple diseases,"
another survivor Akihiro Tanakashi told The Kathmandu Post. He said that 14
of the 60 students of his class could survive the disaster.
"I do not want to say that the USA dropped the bomb. But I dare say that
only one nuclear bomb killed all of my friends," he added.